Page 122 of Tears of Glass

He does, turning to face me.

“Eli?” My fingers skim around his face, my eyes searching his.

“This family brings out my bad side, Faith.” The empty echo in his voice hurts down deep in the pit of my stomach.

“But I’m with you. And I’m all about your good side.” I flash him a cheeky smile. “I love you. We go in together, we survive together and then we leave, together.” I stare at him hard, for once wanting him to read the emotions on my face. “We can do this.”

He lifts a hand, cupping around my cheek, his thumb brushing its familiar path. “Whatever happens, we are united.”

“Always. And we’ve got Peter. He won’t let us down.”

Eli huffs a breath, but I smile.

“Come, let’s do this. There’s something I want to talk to you about later.”

“What?” The blues settle on my face.

“Never you mind. Let’s face The Munsters first.”

Say yes, say yes, say yes. Shut up, Faith.

He lets go of my face and takes his foot off the brake and I swallow hard. I can do this. I’ve faced them before, I can do it again, and this time I have him by my side. He’s mine.

The door opens before we are even out of the car and Jennings springs lightly down the sweeping front steps. “Miss Hitchin.” He bows as he opens my door and I glare at him before pulling him in for a tight hug.

I’ve missed Jennings and Elaine and the sanctuary of their kitchen here at Bowsley. Okay, it’s the only bit of Bowsley I’ve missed, but it’s better than nothing.

Eli steps up to my side and shakes Jennings’ hand. “Everything okay, I assume?”

Jennings smiles, but it looks a little forced. “As well as can be expected. Happy birthday, Elijah, I hope you’ve had an enjoyable day.”

Eli and I glance at one another and I flush while he chuckles. “Best birthday ever.”

“Miss Richards is already here and waiting for you in the library.”

“Miss Richards?” I ask, but before I’ve even muttered her name, I know who it is. Silly me for not remembering her surname.

Eli groans. “Bloody Mother.”

Jennings shakes his head. “I believe your grandmother has organised your birthday dinner, Sir.”

“For fuck’s sake,” Eli mutters low under his breath and our eyes meet. “Together, Faith. Remember?”

I nod although my mouth is dry and there’s a marching band taking up residence in my chest. “Together.” I smile. “Now, let’s go find Sienna and have a drink before we have to face the rest of the family.”

With our arms linked tightly together we walk up the stairs. On the top step he pauses, the blues scanning over the black Max Mara dress Peter helped me choose that falls to my feet. “You look beautiful.”

“You already told me that at home.”

“I’ll tell you again, and then again.”

“Tell me tomorrow when my makeup is all over my face and I’ve got morning breath.”

He laughs loudly, pulling me in to his side.

We glide together, along the beautiful hallways until we find the library. Sienna is in a high winged armchair sipping a tall glass of bubbly. “I didn’t think you guys were ever going to arrive.” In a sinuous movement I could never perfect, she lifts from the chair, coming over to greet us. “I’ve been sitting here getting slowly drunk by myself like a sad fuck.”

I snort, and she gives me a tight hug. She smells heavenly and expensive. “Are you ready for this? There is no evening more awkward than a birthday dinner at the Faircloughs.” She smiles at Elijah. “Especially when my parents are here as well. It’s like a night of the living dead. Happy birthday, Elijah.” She pecks him on the cheek and smirks as he sighs and shakes his head, taking her glass and chugging down half of her champagne.